ST. PETERSBURG — The Rays got some good news on the injury front as they returned to Tropicana Field for their final regular-season homestand of the year.
Rodríguez is now expected to join Triple-A Durham for a rehab assignment, with his first outing slated for Sunday. Manager Kevin Cash called it a “big step” for Rodríguez to get back on the mound and face hitters, as he has been out since Sept. 3 due to a lower back strain. The fact that the right-hander is getting into a game so soon suggests he should return before the end of the season.
It was similarly encouraging news regarding Williamson, who has been out since Aug. 6 due to strained right hamstring. He took part in the Rays’ pregame workout on Friday and will spend three days with the team. If everything goes well, he should join Triple-A Durham for a rehab assignment during their final series of the season against Worcester from Sept. 15-20.
That would potentially allow Williamson to return before the end of the regular season and reclaim his role as a key part of Tampa Bay’s infield mix. The Rays turned to Jorge Mateo in Williamson’s absence, although Mateo is currently serving as the starting shortstop while Taylor Walls is sidelined due to a right hip flexor strain.
Walls is also tracking toward a return, though, and he fielded grounders during the team’s pregame infield drills on Friday. The slick-fielding shortstop has been encouraged by the progress he has made in a short time after sustaining the injury in Texas last weekend. Getting him and Williamson back would make the Rays’ infield whole again in time for the postseason.
“I think that’s a good sign, but you don’t really find anything out until you really go and stand on it,” Cash said. “Encouraged that they’re making progress.”
Lux, who hasn’t played for the Rays all season, will continue to participate in baseball activities. Outfielder Jake Fraley, sidelined since May 16 due to a hernia and groin injuries, hasn’t played for Durham on his rehab assignment since last Sunday, but Cash said he should be back with the Bulls soon after having to leave the club to go home.